Introduction to GSM Optimization

GSM is the most admired standard for mobile telephony systems in the world. The GSM standard has been an advantage to both consumers, who may advantage from the aptitude to travel and switch carriers without replacing phones, and also to network operators, who can choose equipment from many GSM equipment vendors. This course provides you with knowledge on strategies pertaining to GSM optimization; providing you practical knowledge related to GSM optimization and sets of numerical exercises for students to practice.

Course Outline (Some of the important topics)

Section 1 - 1.5 hours
Introduction and Overview
* Principles and processes of optimization
* Identifying optimization opportunities
* Drivers for optimization

Section 2 - 2.75 hours
Factors Affecting Network Access
* Mobile station modes
* Control of mobile behaviour in idle mode
* Broadcast information
* Location updating
* Control channel usage (idle mode)
* Paging subgroups

Section 3 - 3.75 hours
Dedicated Mode Considerations
* Control of mobile behaviour in dedicated mode
* SACCH functions
* Power control thresholds, windows and voting
* Downlink power control
* Interferer bands
* Power budget handover
* Handover margin
* Ranking of target cells for handover
* Handover failure
* Extended range



Section 4 - 2 hours
GSM Features and Techniques
* Antenna properties
* Propagation in urban and rural environments
* Diversity reception
* Power budget and system balance
* Downlink (DL) and Uplink (UL) budgets
* Choice of antenna
* Discontinuous transmission
* Voice coding developments

Section 5 - 3.75 hours
Cell Configurations
* Micro cells and pico cells
* Antenna configurations
* Directional antennas
* Hierarchical (layered) cells

Section 6 - 1.25 hours
Software Tools
* Software tools for radio planning
* Measurement using a test mobile phone
* Network performance data

Section 7 - 3 hours
* Group Optimization Exercises